Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-25

He was ulftduy iiphs DHs
time would be most desirable addi-
ton il would enable him to retire
from the active practice OF his profess
sion and complete the qualification OF
his social aspirations by the purchase
~ a country estate. Then she was a
lovely and well-bred wowan, who would
reflect credit upon his judgment before
the world-a woman who would DO
able 10 hold her own anywhere. All
This was very gratifying, very crafty
inc indeed. as he declared 10 himself
over and over again. But he would not
have found it necessary to make the
declaration so many times day as he
did had his happiness been wholly I'M
mixed.
Poth the lady and he felt without
saving ANYTHING definite on the subject
tbat their respective children were an
embarrassment. Mr.. Hinton privately
thought that. in case those young per-
sons considered themselves in any way
entitled TO have "views" on the matter
OF the parental marriage, the exercise
OF little firm and judicious authority
would lie sufficient TO suppress them.
Pint an unforeseen embarrassment
arose, in respect of which he did not
see Ii IS way clear. The lady betrayed
considerable nervousness at the pros
ptct Of having in the same house
s;epdauehter OF Polly Hinton's age.
"God bless my soul !! thought Mr.
Eiuton. staring into the fire in his
study with face of perplexity; who
would have thought it ? Why-Polly
has always been 50 quiet and gentle
Just like her-ahem, ahem Mr..
linton was seized with fit Of cough
ing. and looked around to see where
The draught came from. "Well, he
went on more firmly, II will not allow
it, that's all. / will not tolerate such
undutiful behavior in child
Then be got up and walked to and
fro, dwelling on Polly's "unduhful-
ness" What had poor Polly done?
BY and by another view of the mat
ter struck him. Polly did not know her
future stepmother as yet. Polly wasan
aliectionate girl, and when she had had
opportunities OF knowing her step
mother there was no doubt-none what
ever-of the filial love which would re-
suit Her stepmother would be COM
panion as well as a mother to her-a
companion, Mr.. Hinton was grateful to
think, as well as a mother. Could any
father do more for daughter than this |?
He felt warm glow of self-approval
when he came to grasp this thought
more fully, and sat down before the fire
TO enjoy the pleasure of the grateful
sensation.
But the evil one did not let him
alone in this happy state Of mind. 1t
suggested to him that there were points
in n woman's nature with which practi-
TONERS in the law may not be familiar.
He admitted that Polly had done no.
thing undutiful to disturb the serenity
Of Lcr future step-mothcr's contempla-
tons of the proposed matrimonial
state. Polly was wholly innocent; and
at first as curious and interesting
speculation, and later on with trou-
Lled sense Of vague alarm, Mr.. Hinton
addressed himself to the investigation
Of the source of the clients evident
difldence. II was the evil one who
Suggested TO him the grievously en-
banassing possibility of Jealousy
Now az Mr.. Hinton dwelt upon it,
AID 10y distressing degrees began to re-
gard II not only AS a possibility but as
probability, he grew truly unhappy.
Tie thing he supposed was natural
to charming woman with a pretty
sterdaughter and If it was natural
how was it to be helped? He could
not imagine how so awkward n state OF
domestic affairs was to be dealt with,
and if the new Mrs Hinton was goine
10 lie troubled by the presence OF hel
pretty stepdaughter from the outset
Why
He rang impatiently and requested
Miss Hinton to be sent TO him. HC
would carefully note her prettiness {
see if there really were any substantial
grounds for this horrible fear. Polly
obeyed the summons mt once. She hal
Just been reading Dick Hammond
letter, wherein that young gentleman
conveyed 20 her in gloomy language s
terrible picture of the client as a lady
of temper who had broken her frs
husbands heart and was ready for new
deyastations-and Polly did not, IL
consequence, look very cheerful no
at all so cheerful and yivacious as the
fair client generally looked.
The effect of the contrast upon MI
Hinton was comforting, and be SPOKE
to his daughter with unusual kindness
Bring a stool over beside me, Pol
ly-let Us have half an hours chat to
eether. Who knows" he added play
fully. "but may tell you a secret "
Polly, sumising what the secret was
looked still more detected, and thereb.
so marred her usual prettineSs that he
father concluded the notion of jealous,
to be a chimcra, and preeipit4tely dis
missed it from his thoughts.
"You Will be glad at what ! am goni
to tell you, Polly" he proceeded, pat
ting her head. 81 have been thinkin.
Of you a good deal latterly, my girl
and ( know how dull and lonely you
lie is all the day. so have resolved
to remedy all that. Polly, and brinl
Won home a delightful companion, on
whom you VIII love ever so much "
What was possessing the girl tina
she gave no s}gn OF pleasure, or evel
OF surprise
lyon have once or twice observed
lady coming here-on business-in tn
evening? Yes Well now, what d,
you think of her, Polly?"
Polly shuddered and bowed he
head. Why, confound the girl p!
thought Mr.. Hinton. what is she n
to?'
THAT lady, Polly. has been so very
very kind as to promise-to consent
to become mother and companion Il
you !" This he delivered with tende
solemnity, as man should speak VIII
YVES discharging an exalted duty.
M-I-am quite happy, dear papa
sobbed Polly, bursting into tears.
"Eh 2" cried the astonished father
But she answered no further, onl
sobbed-more for his sake, poor girl
than for her own. She thought of tn
terrible woman who had broken he
} first husbands heart.
, "Do you mean," demanded Nj
: Hinton. literally dumbfounded, "thO
, you don't wish me to marry that mos
admirable lady?"
, 81 don't, / don't, I don't, papa !" sh
5 cried, through her tears. "Ohl d
r not think of it, papal !"
Mr.. Hinton was now quite speeches.